5 in 1 Aquarium Test Strips Water Test Results Chart - Understanding Test Results & Correcting Unsafe Water

Sep 15, 2026

5 in 1 Aquarium Test Strips Water Test Results Chart provides guidance for interpreting pH, nitrate (TRITE/TRATE), general hardness (GH), and carbonate hardness (KH) readings across freshwater tropical community, African cichlids, goldfish, and salt water. It explains what each test result means, gives recommended target ranges for different fish and invertebrates, and includes practical corrective actions such as partial water changes and appropriate API products. Testing tips emphasize weekly checks and correct freshwater vs saltwater charts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

5 in 1 Aquarium Test Strips Water Test Results Chart

Understanding Test Results & Correcting Unsafe Water

What the Test Results Mean

Testing Tips

5 IN 1 AQUARIUM TEST STRIPS Water Test Results Chart | p | H TEST | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 9.0 | RECOMMENDATION | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | M | Freshwater Tropical Community | | | | | | | | To adjust pH, use API pH DOWN or pH UP | | RIU | African cichlid | | | | | | | | To adjust pH, use API BUFFER MAX CICHLID | | UA | Goldfish | | | | | | | | To adjust pH, use API pH DOWN or pH UP | | AQ | Salt water | | | | | | | | To adjust pH, use API PROPER pH 8.2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | NI | TRITE TEST | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 | | RECOMMENDATION | | M | Freshwater Tropical Community | | | | | | | | Partial water change, then treat with API QUICK START and AQUARIUM SALT | | RIU | African cichlid | | | | | | | | Partial water change, then treat with API QUICK START and AQUARIUM SALT | | QUA | Goldfish | | | | | | | | Partial water change, then treat with API QUICK START and AQUARIUM SALT | | A | Salt water | | | | | | | | Partial water change, then treat with API QUICK START | | | | | | | | | | | | | NI | TRATE TEST | 0 | 20 | 40 | 80 | 160 | 200 | | RECOMMENDATION | | | Freshwater Tropical Community | | | | | | | | Partial water change and add NITRA-ZORB to the filter | | R IUM | African cichlid | | | | | | | | Partial water change and add NITRA-ZORB to the filter | | UA | Goldfish | | | | | | | | Partial water change and add NITRA-ZORB to the filter | | AQ | Salt water | | | | | | | | Partial water change | | | | | | | | | | | | | G | ENERAL HARDNESS (GH) TEST | 0 | 30 | 60 | 120 | 180 | | | RECOMMENDATION | | M | Freshwater Tropical Community | | | | | | | | For high GH, partial water changes may help if the source water has low GH | | RIU | African cichlid | | | | | | | | To raise GH, use API AFRICAN CICHLID SALT | | QUA | Goldfish | | | | | | | | For high GH, partial water changes may help if the source water has low GH | | A | Salt water | The GH of salt water is above the range of this test | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | C | ARBONATE HARDNESS (KH) TEST | 0 | 40 | 80 | 120 | 180 | 240 | | RECOMMENDATION | | UM | Freshwater Tropical Community | | | | | | | | To raise KH, make a partial water change, use API PROPER pH 7.0 | | ARI | African cichlid | | | | | | | | To raise KH, make a partial water change, use API BUFFER MAX CICHLID | | QU | Goldfish | | | | | | | | To raise KH, make a partial water change, use API PROPER pH 7.5 | | A | Salt water | | | | | | | | To raise KH, make a partial water change, use API PROPER pH 8.2 | | KEY IDEAL DANGER CAUTION (CONTINUE TO MONITOR) | | | | | | | | | | Understanding Test Results & Correcting Unsafe Water | pH TEST | GENERAL HARDNESS (GH) TEST | | --- | --- | | What the Test Results Mean
Recommended pH Levels
A pH of 6.8 - 7.2 is ideal when keeping a community aquarium containing a variety of tropical fish. Goldfish should be kept in their own aquarium and prefer a pH of 7.5. Many Amazonian fish, like angelfish and neon tetras, prefer a pH of 6.5-6.8. Mollies and swordtails thrive at pH 7.2-7.5. Most African cichlids need a pH of 8.2 or higher.
To raise or lower pH in a freshwater aquarium, use API® pH UP™ or pH DOWN™ or API PROPER pH® 6 .5, 7.0 and 7.5 can be used to automatically adjust the pH to the appropriate level.
API BUFFER MAX CICHLID™ is a carbonate buffer that can be used to bring aquarium water to the correct pH for African cichlids.
A pH of 8.2-8.4 is ideal for saltwater fish and invertebrates. Use API PROPER pH 8.2, to adjust the pH in saltwater and reef aquariums.
Why Test pH?
In order for your fish to thrive, it is important to maintain the pH in the aquarium at a level similar to their native habitat. pH is the measure of the acidity of water. A pH reading of 7.0 is neutral, a pH above

FAQs

What does a pH reading mean for freshwater and saltwater aquariums?

pH measures water acidity: 7.0 is neutral, above 7.0 is alkaline, and below 7.0 is acidic. Saltwater fish and invertebrates should be kept around 8.2–8.4, while most freshwater fish thrive roughly in the 6.8–7.5 range depending on species.

How can I raise or lower pH using the chart’s recommendations?

Use API pH UP or pH DOWN for freshwater adjustments. For specific needs, the chart also references using API PROPER pH products and API BUFFER MAX CICHLID to help bring aquarium water to the correct pH for African cichlids.

How do I adjust general hardness (GH) and carbonate hardness (KH)?

To reduce GH, the chart recommends using an API WATER SOFTENER PILLOW or partial water changes with distilled/deionized water. To raise GH, use API ELECTRO-RIGHT or AFRICAN CICHLID SALTS. For KH, the chart suggests partial water changes and references API PROPER pH or buffer products (depending on the aquarium type).

Sep 15, 2026

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